Lunch on 29 July was from Café Shelley’s on Dean Street West http://www.shelleys-cafe.com/. It was a small busy, independent looking, café which specialises in making things before your eyes. From the board it wasn’t totally clear what I'd get when I asked for a chorizo special (£4.50). It turned out to be a toasted ciabatta with thin slices of chorizo, basil, tomato and mozzarella: all very delicious and there was free chunks of pineapple and water melon while you wait.
On my way back to the office I happened to peer into Sunset Strip. I’m glad I made a decision not to include it on my list as, peering into the darkened room, I could just make out bikini clad girls sat up at the bar. If it’s like that at lunchtime, I’d hate to imagine what it would be like in the evening!
The evening out was with A. Guest. We started the night in LVPO, Dean Street East http://www.lvpo.co.uk/ tempted by happy hour offers of £10 off a bottle of champagne and wine from £7.50. Unfortunately most of the huge extensive bar at the back was closed due to a private function (although no one arrived before we left at 6.45). However it was beautifully decorated with lots of shiny purple and silver helium balloons. We were therefore restricted to the small bar at the front (where a table was reserved as well).
We decided that champagne cocktails were appropriate (£4.50) and tried a traditional cocktail with Courvoisier, Sugar Cube soaked in bitters and Pommery Champagne and a French 75 which was Gordon's, Citrus Juice and Pommery Champagne. Beware, depending on what else is happening it could be a good or bad choice.
Whilst walking up Dean Street, we both peered in to Sunset Strip and we managed to spot a girl in a white bikini who also appeared to be wearing black stockings and suspenders!
Rather than a big meal we do like to graze when we’re out together and so ventured into Kaslik (Greek Street West), http://www.kasliksoho.com/ which we tried a number of years ago when we just wanted a quick drink. This is a small Lebanese restaurant with benches and comfy cushions around the outside and low highly polished brass tables. We had a bottle of Lebanese wine Ksara Blanc De L’Observatoire which was fine for £14.75. Unfortunately they didn’t have the Ksara Sunset Rose which I became very fond of when I was in Beirut earlier in the year.
We chose tabbouleh, hummus, grilled haloumi and kibbeh (minced lamb balls) and with bread, it was just the right amount! And the bill came to a reasonable £35.
We finished off the night drinking champagne with RM, but not in Soho. Needless to say A. Guest missed a couple of trains home!
Friday, 30 July 2010
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
A lovely lunch
After a quiet week so far, lunch today was a reunion with three lovely people I worked with over 10 years ago. They were all very sensible and stopped working well before retirement age and have become, what I can only describe as Golden Globetrotters. They travel the world, do charity work, visit the gym, swim, go to the Proms and generally seem to have a fabulous time. Anyway, I'd booked a table at Prix Fixe on Dean Street East (www.prixfixe.net/london/restaurant/index.asp) as they advertised a two course lunch for the bargain price of £8.95 and I was thinking about the 'poor pensioners'. There was a good choice of starters and mains but I decided to be vegetarian with 'chick pea falafels'. Personally I thought they were always made with chick peas so thought the description a little long winded although I am sure someone will tell me they can be made with other things. Or maybe they did it in case people didn't know what a falafel was and so thought they'd provide a clue. Anyway they were lovely and crisp and served with hummus, aubergine shakshuka (I had to check the website for this one) and tahini. My main was a huge bowl of pasta which I couldn't finish. With house wine at £13.95, you really can't go wrong. The service was good and a lovely time was had by all. I am now just counting the days until I can join them!
NB: I am pleased to report another follower at last: and an international one at that. It's just a shame her mother doesn't follow suit and sign up too!
NB: I am pleased to report another follower at last: and an international one at that. It's just a shame her mother doesn't follow suit and sign up too!
Sunday, 25 July 2010
This week I've been to . . . .
. . . Vietnam, France and the Mediterranean!
Drinks on Monday were in the Green Carnation, Greek Street East http://www.greencarnationsoho.co.uk/. The happy hour pomotion 4pm to 10pm every night except Friday/Saturday meant that wine was £10 a bottle. And I was pleasantly surprised to find they had a Sauvignon Blanc and not the Chardonnay I’d expected and dreaded. Luckily it was a warm evening and we were able to sit outside as I’m not sure it’s the sort of place I’d like to sit in, as it was a bit dark and clubby, not really us. But it’s worth noting that it is one of the few places in Soho where the outside tables are big enough for four to sit round (they usually just manage two side by side facing outwards). We then decided to try a small Vietnamese restaurant that’s always packed at lunchtime, but suspecting (correctly as it turned out) that it wouldn’t sell alcohol, we decided on a final drink: a glass of champagne for £8 each with a packet of crisps at an exorbitant £1.55! I always think that Cheese & Onion crisps and champagne are a sign of class don't you?
Viet on Greek Street West at 6.30pm was half full although they were queuing by the time we left. It was fairly small and had simple wooden furniture with tables close together. Our shared starter of spring rolls, not the deep fried variety, were light and summery and the main courses of pork and beef with noodles and vegetables were fresh and well spiced. We had Vietnamese lemonade (sweetened lime juice with Perrier water) and the total bill came to £20.
The week ended with a late birthday celebration for The Lady and our friend, The Blonde Bombshell. We'd arranged to meet in The French House http://www.frenchhousesoho.com/ not realising how tiny it is. Although we'd managed to get leaning space outside, later we became trapped between the ledge and the people who were squashing themselves into the roped off area on the pavement. We decided that after a small glass of white each at £3.60, we'd move on to the The Golden Lion two doors away (http://www.goldenlionsoho.com)/ where we found high tables and comfy well padded stools. Although there were huge TV screens showing cricket, the sound was turned off and so they didn't interfere with our racous laughter. And best of all, one of my favourite Sauvingon's (Nobilo from New Zealand) was only £15.60 and the glasses were more upmarket than normal pub glasses.
Dinner was at Le Bavoir on Greek Street East (http://www.lebavoir.com/). It's a light, airy restaurant with a large picture window that had been completeley removed. We shared a platter of Mezze and then I had a chicken tagine, whilst the ladies plumped for the lamb variety and RM had beef stroganoff. All were very good which is more than I can say about the house white, which was of an acquired taste. The company was charming and we spent time chatting about how worried they were about their over 60’s bus passes being withdrawn! I can't believe they qualify! Needless to say, RM and I don’t have to worry about this for some time! A bill of £102 was good value for a good night!
Drinks on Monday were in the Green Carnation, Greek Street East http://www.greencarnationsoho.co.uk/. The happy hour pomotion 4pm to 10pm every night except Friday/Saturday meant that wine was £10 a bottle. And I was pleasantly surprised to find they had a Sauvignon Blanc and not the Chardonnay I’d expected and dreaded. Luckily it was a warm evening and we were able to sit outside as I’m not sure it’s the sort of place I’d like to sit in, as it was a bit dark and clubby, not really us. But it’s worth noting that it is one of the few places in Soho where the outside tables are big enough for four to sit round (they usually just manage two side by side facing outwards). We then decided to try a small Vietnamese restaurant that’s always packed at lunchtime, but suspecting (correctly as it turned out) that it wouldn’t sell alcohol, we decided on a final drink: a glass of champagne for £8 each with a packet of crisps at an exorbitant £1.55! I always think that Cheese & Onion crisps and champagne are a sign of class don't you?
Viet on Greek Street West at 6.30pm was half full although they were queuing by the time we left. It was fairly small and had simple wooden furniture with tables close together. Our shared starter of spring rolls, not the deep fried variety, were light and summery and the main courses of pork and beef with noodles and vegetables were fresh and well spiced. We had Vietnamese lemonade (sweetened lime juice with Perrier water) and the total bill came to £20.
The week ended with a late birthday celebration for The Lady and our friend, The Blonde Bombshell. We'd arranged to meet in The French House http://www.frenchhousesoho.com/ not realising how tiny it is. Although we'd managed to get leaning space outside, later we became trapped between the ledge and the people who were squashing themselves into the roped off area on the pavement. We decided that after a small glass of white each at £3.60, we'd move on to the The Golden Lion two doors away (http://www.goldenlionsoho.com)/ where we found high tables and comfy well padded stools. Although there were huge TV screens showing cricket, the sound was turned off and so they didn't interfere with our racous laughter. And best of all, one of my favourite Sauvingon's (Nobilo from New Zealand) was only £15.60 and the glasses were more upmarket than normal pub glasses.
Dinner was at Le Bavoir on Greek Street East (http://www.lebavoir.com/). It's a light, airy restaurant with a large picture window that had been completeley removed. We shared a platter of Mezze and then I had a chicken tagine, whilst the ladies plumped for the lamb variety and RM had beef stroganoff. All were very good which is more than I can say about the house white, which was of an acquired taste. The company was charming and we spent time chatting about how worried they were about their over 60’s bus passes being withdrawn! I can't believe they qualify! Needless to say, RM and I don’t have to worry about this for some time! A bill of £102 was good value for a good night!
Saturday, 17 July 2010
. . . . the celebrity end
The weather changed on Thursday and it was rather chilly at lunch time so something warming in Bar Italia (Frith Street East) was called for http://www.baritaliasoho.co.uk/. It was warm and cosy and had a long bar to sit up at. The tomato, basil and mozzarella panini for £5.50 cut into four looked huge, but I manfully managed to finish it. In warmer weather there are small tables outside. Another excellent choice!
The evening was spent with Mr L, my informal recruitment consultant, who I was thanking for finding me such a lovely job in Soho. We started with large glasses of Sauvignon Blanc in The Three Greyhounds (Greek Street East) http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thethreegreyhoundssoholondon/ To be honest we were too busy catching up to take too much notice of the place, but it seemed OK and was just a short step away from the main event: The Gay Hussar just a little further up Greek Street http://www.gayhussar.co.uk/index.asp. It serves Hungarian food and has been in Soho for years. I'd actually visited a couple of years ago, just before a weekend in Budapest. We shared Hungarian Hors d'Oeuvres, a platter with a pate, herrings, salami and something to do with beetroot. We both chose pork dishes: gypsy quick dish and brassoi both served with lots of lovely paprika potatoes. We decided that a Hungarian wine was called for and chose a bottle of Tuzko Tolna Traminer which was very fruity but dry. As we were rather full we settled on trying glasses of sweet and dry Tokaji which provided a lovely end to the evening.
RM and I both had Friday afternoon off and headed to our favourite bar (The Forge). Although it's not in Soho, we wanted to see Camron off before he went on his travels (see blog 3 July). It was here I met Trevor Sorbie the hairdresser who had popped in for lunch from his salon opposite. He was very down to earth and was telling us about his early career and the work he is now doing with his new charity http://www.mynewhair.org/ which supports a network of salons providing a wig styling service for cancer sufferers. He came across as a really, caring person and I'm not just saying this because he said I had a lovely smile, young face and offered to cut my hair for free!!!
The evening was spent with Mr L, my informal recruitment consultant, who I was thanking for finding me such a lovely job in Soho. We started with large glasses of Sauvignon Blanc in The Three Greyhounds (Greek Street East) http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thethreegreyhoundssoholondon/ To be honest we were too busy catching up to take too much notice of the place, but it seemed OK and was just a short step away from the main event: The Gay Hussar just a little further up Greek Street http://www.gayhussar.co.uk/index.asp. It serves Hungarian food and has been in Soho for years. I'd actually visited a couple of years ago, just before a weekend in Budapest. We shared Hungarian Hors d'Oeuvres, a platter with a pate, herrings, salami and something to do with beetroot. We both chose pork dishes: gypsy quick dish and brassoi both served with lots of lovely paprika potatoes. We decided that a Hungarian wine was called for and chose a bottle of Tuzko Tolna Traminer which was very fruity but dry. As we were rather full we settled on trying glasses of sweet and dry Tokaji which provided a lovely end to the evening.
RM and I both had Friday afternoon off and headed to our favourite bar (The Forge). Although it's not in Soho, we wanted to see Camron off before he went on his travels (see blog 3 July). It was here I met Trevor Sorbie the hairdresser who had popped in for lunch from his salon opposite. He was very down to earth and was telling us about his early career and the work he is now doing with his new charity http://www.mynewhair.org/ which supports a network of salons providing a wig styling service for cancer sufferers. He came across as a really, caring person and I'm not just saying this because he said I had a lovely smile, young face and offered to cut my hair for free!!!
The week started and ended with a celebrity story . . .
After the JSP experience at the beginning of the week, I'm pleased to say that Friday afternoon provided a lovely finish to the end of it. But you'll have to wait as a lot of eating and drinking occured during the week. This is therefore likely to be a long blog so make sure you're sat comfortably with a large glass in hand before you start.
I had a long meeting on Wednesday and felt in the need of a coffee late afternoon to perk me up and so I went to good old Pret on Frith Street West. My latte (in seemingly one sensible size only) was £1.99. According to the website it is sesame, GM, gluten, wheat, egg and yeast free which is always good to know and it contained 194 calories. However, I was quite horrified to see that the calorie content of that innocuous carrot cake in a box that you're tempted by at the till, contains 402 calories. Check out the website for the calorie content of their sandwiches and you'll probably never go again!
In the evening I met my friend Nicola and as she's younger than me (she said I had to say this), I made her try some of the triendier places. First on our list was cocktails at Thirst on Greek Street West (http://www.thirstbar.com/index2_london.html). Although it was just opening at 5pm we got a friendly welcome. They have a huge drinks menu and we chose a Cosmopolitan which, as we were in Stupid Hour (from 5pm to 7.30pm), was £4 whilst my Classic Dry Martini was £6: it was only a Happy Hour drink (when prices go up slightly). Its website claim of being the busiest and best mid-weeker in Soho obviously doesn't apply at 5pm but nevertheless, it had comfy cream leather banquettes and trendy stainless steel tables and if you want an early evening cheap cocktail it's the place to go. However when the 'funky house, dirty house, elektro and mash up' music starts, it may be a different story. This description probably makes even Nicola feel old!
We then moved on to Jazz after Dark across the road on Greek Street East (http://www.jazzafterdark.co.uk/). Here we sat outside with a glass of rose for £4.50 and so didn't really see inside. It's probably the sort or place that just gets going, as I'm going to bed. However, the website does make it sound interesting and as there is food, it's probably worth a return visit at a later time.
We ate at Rosa's on Dean Street East (http://rosaslondon.com/soho), a lovely small, welcoming Thai restaurant. We shared Gai Hor Bai Teay which, to the uninitiated, is chicken marinated in garlic and coriander root and pepper wrapped in pandon leaves which was absolutely gorgeous and just right for sharing. Nicola then went for a safe green chicken curry, but I had to go for the jungle vegetarian curry as the only dish on the menu with the three chilli sign. With a sticky rice and a brown garlic rice and a bottle of Rose, our bill with a tip was a respectable £50. Both food and service were excellent and Nicola said it was the best Thai she'd ever had. She also said I had to report that I'd 'trashed my glass' by which she means I dropped it and the base broke. However, you will be pleased to know that not a drop of wine was spilt.
Well, the week is not yet over, but I'm exhausted and I expect your glass is empty so you'll have to wait a little while longer to hear about the celebrity end.
I had a long meeting on Wednesday and felt in the need of a coffee late afternoon to perk me up and so I went to good old Pret on Frith Street West. My latte (in seemingly one sensible size only) was £1.99. According to the website it is sesame, GM, gluten, wheat, egg and yeast free which is always good to know and it contained 194 calories. However, I was quite horrified to see that the calorie content of that innocuous carrot cake in a box that you're tempted by at the till, contains 402 calories. Check out the website for the calorie content of their sandwiches and you'll probably never go again!
In the evening I met my friend Nicola and as she's younger than me (she said I had to say this), I made her try some of the triendier places. First on our list was cocktails at Thirst on Greek Street West (http://www.thirstbar.com/index2_london.html). Although it was just opening at 5pm we got a friendly welcome. They have a huge drinks menu and we chose a Cosmopolitan which, as we were in Stupid Hour (from 5pm to 7.30pm), was £4 whilst my Classic Dry Martini was £6: it was only a Happy Hour drink (when prices go up slightly). Its website claim of being the busiest and best mid-weeker in Soho obviously doesn't apply at 5pm but nevertheless, it had comfy cream leather banquettes and trendy stainless steel tables and if you want an early evening cheap cocktail it's the place to go. However when the 'funky house, dirty house, elektro and mash up' music starts, it may be a different story. This description probably makes even Nicola feel old!
We then moved on to Jazz after Dark across the road on Greek Street East (http://www.jazzafterdark.co.uk/). Here we sat outside with a glass of rose for £4.50 and so didn't really see inside. It's probably the sort or place that just gets going, as I'm going to bed. However, the website does make it sound interesting and as there is food, it's probably worth a return visit at a later time.
We ate at Rosa's on Dean Street East (http://rosaslondon.com/soho), a lovely small, welcoming Thai restaurant. We shared Gai Hor Bai Teay which, to the uninitiated, is chicken marinated in garlic and coriander root and pepper wrapped in pandon leaves which was absolutely gorgeous and just right for sharing. Nicola then went for a safe green chicken curry, but I had to go for the jungle vegetarian curry as the only dish on the menu with the three chilli sign. With a sticky rice and a brown garlic rice and a bottle of Rose, our bill with a tip was a respectable £50. Both food and service were excellent and Nicola said it was the best Thai she'd ever had. She also said I had to report that I'd 'trashed my glass' by which she means I dropped it and the base broke. However, you will be pleased to know that not a drop of wine was spilt.
Well, the week is not yet over, but I'm exhausted and I expect your glass is empty so you'll have to wait a little while longer to hear about the celebrity end.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Thanks to Janet Street Porter . . .
. . . . I'm able to report I now have my first international follower, currently residing in Dubai. How did this happen and what does JSP have to do with it? Well, last night Maureen was reading the Daily Mail on-line and noticed that JSP had mentioned a Helen Jackson and e-mailed to see if it was me. I think she was concerned that I'd got married and she'd not been invited to the wedding as JSP had inadvertently married me off to RM!
Nothing to report on the eating/drinking front but the rest of the week looks promising.
Nothing to report on the eating/drinking front but the rest of the week looks promising.
Monday, 12 July 2010
The weigh in . . . .
As a 'friend' mentioned last week, to date I've failed to mention my lbs gained or lost. Details have been recorded weekly but I've been too busy focusing on food and drinks. However, I have been weighed this morning and the results are available to followers of this blog . . . . . .
Very spookily, just as I was finishing this post, I noticed four google ads on my design page (which I've never noticed before):
1. Tips to lose 2 stone in 3 weeks
2. Lose 1 stone per week
3. I lost a stone in 14 days
4. Alli weight loss pills
Very spookily, just as I was finishing this post, I noticed four google ads on my design page (which I've never noticed before):
1. Tips to lose 2 stone in 3 weeks
2. Lose 1 stone per week
3. I lost a stone in 14 days
4. Alli weight loss pills
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Saturday in Soho . . .
. . . and what an eye opener it was. It's fun people watching during the day, but in the evening the outfits and behaviours are even more outrageous. There were six in our party: me, RM, my follower, two glamorous god-daughters and their friend who provided much needed male support to RM who had been surrounded all weekend by four females.
The Dog and Duck - Frith Street W - provided pre-dinner drinks. Its a small, narrow pub and as it was a warm evening, we stood outside. Our bottle of Sauvignon was well chilled but at £9.50 we weren't expecting much. However, it surprised us all, so much so, that we had to have another just to check it really was less than a tenner and yes it was.
In view of our numbers, we'd booked ahead at Bistro1 as we thought its extensive Mediterranean menu would suit us all. (http://www.bistro1.co.uk). In addition, prices were reasonable with two courses for £9.90 or for an extra pound, you could have three. I was able to book on-line which I love as by the time you've performed the final click, there's an e-mail in your in-box and a text on your mobile. I was greeted by name on arrival, but as our table was not quite ready, I expertly managed to negotiate a complementary liqueur and coffee for us all which at £3.50 and £2.60 respectively, was a generous offer considering we only had to wait between 5 and 10 minutes (depending on whose watch you were looking at). We all had completely different meals (for me smoked salmon and avocado to start and penne chicken arabiatta. Sauvignon Blanc was £12.50 and our total bill for six came to a very reasonable £115 (I'll let those of you who are good at maths to work out how many bottles we had!). There was only downside: it was very busy and noisy which made chatting a bit difficult.
At this point the 'oldies' decided to call it a night and left the 'youngsters' to continue.
The following day I received an e-mail asking me to complete a short customer survey so they're obviously trying hard to get things right. Would I go again? Definitely, as it's an ideal choice for leaving lunches, birthdays etc.
The Dog and Duck - Frith Street W - provided pre-dinner drinks. Its a small, narrow pub and as it was a warm evening, we stood outside. Our bottle of Sauvignon was well chilled but at £9.50 we weren't expecting much. However, it surprised us all, so much so, that we had to have another just to check it really was less than a tenner and yes it was.
In view of our numbers, we'd booked ahead at Bistro1 as we thought its extensive Mediterranean menu would suit us all. (http://www.bistro1.co.uk). In addition, prices were reasonable with two courses for £9.90 or for an extra pound, you could have three. I was able to book on-line which I love as by the time you've performed the final click, there's an e-mail in your in-box and a text on your mobile. I was greeted by name on arrival, but as our table was not quite ready, I expertly managed to negotiate a complementary liqueur and coffee for us all which at £3.50 and £2.60 respectively, was a generous offer considering we only had to wait between 5 and 10 minutes (depending on whose watch you were looking at). We all had completely different meals (for me smoked salmon and avocado to start and penne chicken arabiatta. Sauvignon Blanc was £12.50 and our total bill for six came to a very reasonable £115 (I'll let those of you who are good at maths to work out how many bottles we had!). There was only downside: it was very busy and noisy which made chatting a bit difficult.
At this point the 'oldies' decided to call it a night and left the 'youngsters' to continue.
The following day I received an e-mail asking me to complete a short customer survey so they're obviously trying hard to get things right. Would I go again? Definitely, as it's an ideal choice for leaving lunches, birthdays etc.
Friday, 9 July 2010
One of my 'friends' . . . .
. . . . and I use the word hesitantly as she has not decided to become a follower has been questioning the part of my blog which mentioned 'pounds (i.e. the lbs variety) gained or lost. Do not fear M'Lady, I will report on Monday which is my weigh in day!
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Like the World Cup, it's not over yet . . .
Monday night ‘after work drinks’ found us in the Pillars of Hercules (Greek Street E). At £17, the Sauvignon Blanc was more expensive than the other pubs we’ve explored, but it was well chilled and good quality. The interior is spacious and there’s a quirky array of comfy tables and chairs which are not from the same family tree. However, what gave it a huge thumbs up, is that it was very clean and the two bar maids never stopped mopping and wiping (even the tomato sauce bottles where it gets cloggy round the top). Again, the food menu wasn’t as cheap as some (pies and burgers £7 to £8, and sandwiches at £5), but I was tempted by the evening sharing platters (Moroccan £7.95 and Nachos at £5.95). If I wanted somewhere to take a beer drinker, this would definitely be at the top of my list.
Piccadilly Line problems on 6 June meant a different route to work and so I got my morning coffee from Costa (Dean Street E). Why cannot the coalition Government introduce legislation to standardise coffee sizes into small, medium and large? I asked for a large skinny latte and received a gallon which got cold before the bottom was reached and at £2.60, it was more expensive than Café Nero.
Lunch on the same day was from 34b (Frith Street E). It’s a relatively small café but with lots of small outdoor tables in the sun and a few indoor seats sat up at a bar running around the outer edges: both are ideal for sitting and watching the world go by. Whilst waiting for my goats cheese, ham and wild rocket Panini to be toasted, I spotted a friend scurrying along but sporting a rather dashing cap. Unfortunately he was too far away for me to harangue him about being in the area but failing to invite me out for lunch. He later explained that he was hurrying to meet a friend of ours to look at the new moquette for the seats of the Central Line trains. Some of you reading this must recognise who he was going to meet. He has been asked to be described obliquely as ‘the ever troublesome GB’ and I and PR can heartily agree with this. Anyway, I digress: although the service wasn’t particularly friendly, there was a tempting choice of fillings served in a variety of breads. The fillings were all chalked on a blackboard which is a huge improvement on the Subway printed boards. My Panini at £4.25 was good value and it was large, with very strong goats cheese and more importantly, it was easy to eat.
The final entries for the working week: a drink at a Soho institution, the Coach and Horses (www.coachandhorsessoho.co.uk/index7.html). Although the outdoor seating comprises of very basic wooden tables and benches (the sort of thing that an amateur woodworker would knock up in an hour with a few unwanted planks) covered in red and white plastic gingham, at least there is somewhere to sit. The Granfort French Sauvignon Blanc was beautifully served in a large oval shaped plastic ice bucket and was therefore well chilled and good value at £15.95. Although there is a restaurant menu upstairs which looked interesting, the bar menu wouldn’t have been out of place in a Northern working man’s club (pork pie with piccalilli £6, pork scratchings £2.50, pickled and scotch eggs at £1 and £3 respectively.
As I with RM, we decided to have dinner out and chose a restaurant I wouldn’t dare invite anyone to and where I'd be embarrassed to be seen: Angus Steak House (Dean Street W) – didn’t they used to be known as Aberdeen Angus Steak House or are my farming roots coming to the fore? I always thought that the only people who went were American’s who didn’t know any better, but early on a Wednesday evening they were surprisingly busy with an eclectic bunch of customers. The burgundy décor and floral, swirly carpet looked outdated but the booths around the outer edge of the restaurant provided a perfect place for people watching. I was amazed at the prices for the steaks and so decided to cut out the starter and head straight for the main attraction. RM chose a 10oz medium sirloin (£18.95) with chips at £2.50 extra and I plumped for the austerity option of steak and ale pie at £13.95 with veg at £3.00. We chose the cheapest wine from the ‘crisp and dry’ category which went up to just over £40. The food was surprisingly good, particularly the green beans and broccoli which were well cooked. However, two things amazed me: people had actually reserved tables and were prepared to pay up to £40 for a bottle of wine. However the service was excellent (well done to the training manager) and Augustus was divine: young, tall, good looking and he looked you in the eye when he spoke to you. So not too bad an experience but the prices definitely put me off when there are so many cheaper alternatives around the corner.
So, although my working week is nearly over, a Saturday night in Soho with my Suffolk follower will, I hope be very promising! This could be my best week to date.
Piccadilly Line problems on 6 June meant a different route to work and so I got my morning coffee from Costa (Dean Street E). Why cannot the coalition Government introduce legislation to standardise coffee sizes into small, medium and large? I asked for a large skinny latte and received a gallon which got cold before the bottom was reached and at £2.60, it was more expensive than Café Nero.
Lunch on the same day was from 34b (Frith Street E). It’s a relatively small café but with lots of small outdoor tables in the sun and a few indoor seats sat up at a bar running around the outer edges: both are ideal for sitting and watching the world go by. Whilst waiting for my goats cheese, ham and wild rocket Panini to be toasted, I spotted a friend scurrying along but sporting a rather dashing cap. Unfortunately he was too far away for me to harangue him about being in the area but failing to invite me out for lunch. He later explained that he was hurrying to meet a friend of ours to look at the new moquette for the seats of the Central Line trains. Some of you reading this must recognise who he was going to meet. He has been asked to be described obliquely as ‘the ever troublesome GB’ and I and PR can heartily agree with this. Anyway, I digress: although the service wasn’t particularly friendly, there was a tempting choice of fillings served in a variety of breads. The fillings were all chalked on a blackboard which is a huge improvement on the Subway printed boards. My Panini at £4.25 was good value and it was large, with very strong goats cheese and more importantly, it was easy to eat.
The final entries for the working week: a drink at a Soho institution, the Coach and Horses (www.coachandhorsessoho.co.uk/index7.html). Although the outdoor seating comprises of very basic wooden tables and benches (the sort of thing that an amateur woodworker would knock up in an hour with a few unwanted planks) covered in red and white plastic gingham, at least there is somewhere to sit. The Granfort French Sauvignon Blanc was beautifully served in a large oval shaped plastic ice bucket and was therefore well chilled and good value at £15.95. Although there is a restaurant menu upstairs which looked interesting, the bar menu wouldn’t have been out of place in a Northern working man’s club (pork pie with piccalilli £6, pork scratchings £2.50, pickled and scotch eggs at £1 and £3 respectively.
As I with RM, we decided to have dinner out and chose a restaurant I wouldn’t dare invite anyone to and where I'd be embarrassed to be seen: Angus Steak House (Dean Street W) – didn’t they used to be known as Aberdeen Angus Steak House or are my farming roots coming to the fore? I always thought that the only people who went were American’s who didn’t know any better, but early on a Wednesday evening they were surprisingly busy with an eclectic bunch of customers. The burgundy décor and floral, swirly carpet looked outdated but the booths around the outer edge of the restaurant provided a perfect place for people watching. I was amazed at the prices for the steaks and so decided to cut out the starter and head straight for the main attraction. RM chose a 10oz medium sirloin (£18.95) with chips at £2.50 extra and I plumped for the austerity option of steak and ale pie at £13.95 with veg at £3.00. We chose the cheapest wine from the ‘crisp and dry’ category which went up to just over £40. The food was surprisingly good, particularly the green beans and broccoli which were well cooked. However, two things amazed me: people had actually reserved tables and were prepared to pay up to £40 for a bottle of wine. However the service was excellent (well done to the training manager) and Augustus was divine: young, tall, good looking and he looked you in the eye when he spoke to you. So not too bad an experience but the prices definitely put me off when there are so many cheaper alternatives around the corner.
So, although my working week is nearly over, a Saturday night in Soho with my Suffolk follower will, I hope be very promising! This could be my best week to date.
Saturday, 3 July 2010
My first follower . . .
Well, my first week back after my holiday has finally come to an end and I've only chalked up a disappointing two more.
They are all over with their garish green and yellow fronts, but have you ever been to Subway? I hadn't, but needed a quick lunch and so stepped into the Dean Street East branch. I was surprised to find what I thought was a rather limited menu. I chose a classic tuna with salad which was made by two people in front of me (one for the tuna and one for the salad). On the plus side, it was filling although I'm not sure about the quality of the white sub and I could have eaten it inside. On the minus side, when the tuna mayo was put onto the sandwich using an ice cream scoop it seemed a little odd and the forumulaic customer service patter is a real turn off. £3.95 - so not bad value but read about the following day where . . .
. . . . I had lunch at Trattoria Da Aldo (Greek Street West). I'd walked past a lot and had been eyeing up the £5.00 lunch - a limited choice of simple dishes but including a glass of wine or soft drink. It sounded like a bargain to me and was. Staff were friendly and service good. It is quite a small dark restaurant with tables jam packed together but, as it was quiet, that didn't matter. I had a good size bowl of penne and bolognaise sauce and yes, there wasn't a huge amount of sauce but it was tasty and filling (just what I needed to prepare me for an evening of drinking!). Bread and oil was optional, but at 50p you couldn't resist (the bread was rustic thick sliced and very good). Even with the 55p (10%) service charge automatically added, I felt that I'd dined like a queen for £6.05.
The evening saw me drinking in downstairs bar of The Forge http://www.theforgerestaurant.co.uk/. Yes, I know it's in Covent Garden but it's my favourite bar and all because of the wonderful barman, Camron Cube!
And now the exciting news! I now have my first follower (my very good friend Gill). However, I suspect it may be something to do with the fact that she is coming to stay with me next weekend and wants to bring both my lovely god-daughters. Also, like me she is new to blogging and so doesn't really know what to do or what it means (I am in much the same position), but I am thrilled and think its the start of something much bigger! Thank you Gill x
They are all over with their garish green and yellow fronts, but have you ever been to Subway? I hadn't, but needed a quick lunch and so stepped into the Dean Street East branch. I was surprised to find what I thought was a rather limited menu. I chose a classic tuna with salad which was made by two people in front of me (one for the tuna and one for the salad). On the plus side, it was filling although I'm not sure about the quality of the white sub and I could have eaten it inside. On the minus side, when the tuna mayo was put onto the sandwich using an ice cream scoop it seemed a little odd and the forumulaic customer service patter is a real turn off. £3.95 - so not bad value but read about the following day where . . .
. . . . I had lunch at Trattoria Da Aldo (Greek Street West). I'd walked past a lot and had been eyeing up the £5.00 lunch - a limited choice of simple dishes but including a glass of wine or soft drink. It sounded like a bargain to me and was. Staff were friendly and service good. It is quite a small dark restaurant with tables jam packed together but, as it was quiet, that didn't matter. I had a good size bowl of penne and bolognaise sauce and yes, there wasn't a huge amount of sauce but it was tasty and filling (just what I needed to prepare me for an evening of drinking!). Bread and oil was optional, but at 50p you couldn't resist (the bread was rustic thick sliced and very good). Even with the 55p (10%) service charge automatically added, I felt that I'd dined like a queen for £6.05.
The evening saw me drinking in downstairs bar of The Forge http://www.theforgerestaurant.co.uk/. Yes, I know it's in Covent Garden but it's my favourite bar and all because of the wonderful barman, Camron Cube!
And now the exciting news! I now have my first follower (my very good friend Gill). However, I suspect it may be something to do with the fact that she is coming to stay with me next weekend and wants to bring both my lovely god-daughters. Also, like me she is new to blogging and so doesn't really know what to do or what it means (I am in much the same position), but I am thrilled and think its the start of something much bigger! Thank you Gill x
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